The German Biobank Network (GBN) has launched a service catalogue and cost calculation tool to help biobanks systematically plan their services for research projects and to accurately reflect these costs in grant applications. The GBN's 'Financing' working group developed and evaluated these tools over several years in a multi-stage process. The tools provide biobanks with a consistent framework for presenting their costs in a transparent and comprehensible manner.
Background
Biobank services, such as the quality-assured processing, storage and provision of samples and associated data management, are indispensable for many research projects. However, these services are often underestimated in grant applications, typically because the host institutions are assumed to cover these costs. This results in a high workload for biobanks with uncertain funding.
"The service catalogue and cost calculation tool provide biobanks with a uniform basis for presenting their services and calculating costs in a way that is comprehensible to all parties involved," says Dr. Romy Kirsten, head of GBN's financing working group and the Integrated Biobank Mannheim (IBM). "This allows funding bodies to take them into account appropriately when making funding decisions."
How the catalogue and tool work
The catalogue and cost calculation tool are intended for biobanks and researchers planning grant-funded projects. The modular catalogue describes all relevant services and sets upper limits for each item. This is supplemented by a cost calculation tool that simplifies service calculations. Funding organisations and reviewers also benefit, as they can assess biobank costs more realistically and take them into account appropriately when making funding decisions.
"The development was a real team effort," emphasises Romy Kirsten. "Our working group laid the groundwork, and the community used model calculations and tests to ensure that the catalogue and calculator are practical and realistic."
"Our service catalogue and calculation tool help consider biobank contributions in grant-funded projects from the outset," says Dr. Cornelia Specht, GBN's managing director. "In this way, the GBN is making an important contribution to strengthening the role of academic biobanks and ensuring their long-term financial sustainability."
Access
The calculation tool is available for members of GBN biobanks via the internal ‘Confluence’ platform.
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